Camelback won an emotional senior night in a Class 5A Metro Region matchup with Carl Hayden.

The Spartans end the 2018 season on a high note after defeating the Falcons 32-21 to finish the season 2-8 (2-3 region).

Camelback jumped out to a 13-0 lead in the first quarter and never looked back.

Wide receiver Shawn Charles scored three touchdowns in his final high school game, bringing his season total to 20.

“I’m so proud of my team,” Charles said. “They played their hearts out and came together as a family. I told you back then if we played like a family, we can win any game, and we played like a family today.”

Charles also added a 60-yard kickoff return as well as the game-clinching interception to cap off his career. 

The biggest difference between this game and previous games was the Spartan defense. 

Camelback held the Falcons to just seven points in the first half, forcing four turnovers and scoring two touchdowns. 

The seven first-half points and the 21 total points were the lowest marks allowed all season for the Spartans.

Camelback defensive coordinator Micah Pappas attributed this performance to his player’s passion and intensity. 

“I don’t know if it’s for the seniors, but we knew this was going to be a physical game,” Pappas said. “We had a killer pregame and were feeling the blood, and we wanted to leave It all on the field and we did just that,” Pappas said.

 Ending the season on a high note was a major priority for Camelback coach Joseph Brissette.  

“It was huge,” Brissette said. “It was big for our kids, and it was big for our program moving forward. It’s something we can hopefully grow on and take with us. These seniors were the first class who has really done it right for four years so to be able to send them out on a high note and get that win was amazing.”         A part of the game plan for Camelback was allowing every senior to get a carry on offense, no matter position, size or experience. 

Senior quarterback Eric Marquez talked about how hard it was accepting that this was his last game with his fellow seniors but how winning the game helped soften the blow.

On the other side, Carl Hayden coach Randy Gross announced his retirement after the game. 

“I didn’t care about wins and losses,” he said. “I just wanted perfect effort, and this team gave me that for all 10 games this season. I couldn’t ask for more out of a senior class.  Any coach dreams about walking out with a specific class that epitomizes everything they believe in, and this is my class. I love every single one of them, and I can’t put it into words how proud I am,” Gross said.